The Best Hand Warmers of 2019

Table of Contents

One of my least favorite things about winter is how my fingers freeze. When it gets cold enough, even the warmest gloves can’t do much to stop that bitter wind chill from seeping in, leaving your fingers feeling numb, stiff, and generally unhappy. That’s why I’m a huge fan of hand warmers, which can be used by everyone from your average joe to a hunter, spending hours in the snow. This list compiles the best hand warmers around in terms of temperature, hours they last, price, and a bunch of other factors which I’ll discuss below. Let’s get started!

Editor’s Pick

Fourheart Hand Warmer

Our favorite hand warmer of the year is the Fourheart Hand Warmer, an electric device that you can reuse forever. Personally, I’d rather buy something once and use it forever then shell out money every time winter comes around, because let’s face it— we all have enough recurring expenses!

Pros: I love that the Fourheart Hand Warmer has three settings, either 107, 118 or 131 degrees Fahrenheit. There are even three indicator lights so you can check the battery or heat status, which is really convenient. Finally, you can use the Fourheart Hand Warmer to charge your iPhone or Android if you’re on the go!

Cons: Although Fourheart claims that their Hand Warmer works from four to eight hours, some people find that it only works three to four, which is a bit disappointing.

Top Contender

HotSnapZ Hand Warmers

Maybe you only need hand warmers for a specific period of time, or maybe you just prefer the ease of a disposable hand warmer. Whatever the reason, let me introduce the HotSnapZ Hand Warmers, which have an average temperature of 115 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pros: I love that this package includes not only hand warmers, but also pocket warmers, giving you options to place your hands. Both warmers are no more than five inches across, so they won’t take up too much space. Plus, the company offers a full 30 day warranty along with a limited lifetime warranty to make sure you’re satisfied with your purchase.

Cons: I found that not all of the eight warmers in the packet worked consistently.

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HotSnapZ Hand Warmers

HotSnapZ Hand Warmers

These disposable hand warmers from HotSnapZ will keep you warm at a maximum temperature of 130 degrees Fahrenheit, with a limited lifetime warranty to boot.

Best Disposable

HeatMax Hot Hands 2 Hand Warmers

If you’re looking for hand warmers that you can wear once and then throw away, look no further then the HeatMax Hot Hands 2 Hand Warmers. The packet comes with 40 pairs of hand warmers, each with an impressive maximum temperature of 158 degrees Fahrenheit.

Pros: The HeatMax Hot Hands 2 Hand Warmers will last up to 10 hours, which is really great. The average temperature is 135 degrees Fahrenheit, which feels perfectly toasty. I also like that they have different styles available for hands, body and feet, because my hands aren’t the only thing that could use some warmth!

Cons: You’ll have to replace them once they’re done, which could end up costing you more money than if you had gotten reusable hand warmers.

Best For Hunting

Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers

With up to 12 hours of working time, the Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers work for the longest amount of time of any hand warmer that I’ve reviewed. That’s super important for hunting trips, as they’re known to take a while in some cases.

Pros: At a very affordable price, you’ll never have to buy a new hand warmer with the Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers— simply fill it with lighter fluid and apply the flame to turn it on. The item itself doesn’t take up more than four inches in your pocket. Plus, it’s available in a variety of colors, including camouflage to help you blend into your hunting surroundings.

Cons: The Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers don’t include lighter fluid, so you’ll have to buy it separately.

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Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers

Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers

When you're hunting, you need hand warmers that can last for hours, which is why I chose the Zippo Refillable Hand Warmers for this category, with a working time of up to 12 hour!

Best Reusable

EnergyFlux Hand Warmer

If you’re like me, then you can feel the cold in your bones almost the minute your step outside. That’s why I’m so happy I found the EnergyFlux Hand Warmer, an electric device that gives you hours of warmth in the palm of your hand– pun intended.

Pros: The big advantage with any electric hand warmer is that you never have to replace it, and the same holds for the EnergyFlux Hand Warmer. Aside from warming your hands, you can also use it as a portable charger for your iPhone or Android. It has two settings, 107 or 117 degrees Fahrenheit, and will last four or three hours respectively based on the temperature. The EnergyFlux Hand Warmer also comes with a one-year guarantee, so you’re not taking any big risk with your money.

Cons: Despite the warranty, the price is a bit high compared to competitors.

Hand Warmer Methodology

Hand Warmer Methodology

If you’re buying hand warmers, be sure to consider the following factors:

Power source: There are three different types of hand warmers– electric, disposable or catalytic, meaning it requires a catalyst like lighter fluid and a match. Personally, I prefer electric hand warmers, as they’re reusable and don’t require any additional fluid or supplies, but this is more of a personal preference.

Item weight and dimension: Especially if you’ll be out in the cold for a while, you want to pick a hand warmer that’s light, compact, and that could easily fit into your gloves or pockets.

Charging/ activation time: Most electric hand chargers take a few hours to charge, while disposable hand warmers only take 15 to 30 seconds of shaking, one of their advantages over electric.

Working time: I’ve seen reviews that work anywhere from half an hour to up to 12 hours, so there’s a huge variation here. Depending on what you’re using them before, you may not need such a high working time.

Average temperature and maximum temperature: The hand warmer’s average temperature should be anywhere from 107 to 135 degrees Fahrenheit, with a maximum temperature of anywhere from 117 to 158. For me, the higher the temperature, the better.

Shelf life: Disposable hand warmers often have a shelf life, so keep that in mind when you purchase them.

Hand Warmer Tips

Of course, it’s not enough to simply buy hand warmers— you should also know about the best practices for using them. Here are a few quick tips:

Zip lock bags: If you’re using a disposable hand warmer, it needs to be exposed to air in order for the heat reaction to occur. To get the most out of your hand warmer, store it in a thick zip-lock freezer bag. I recommend sucking out the bag’s air with your mouth before sealing it shut to protect the hand warmer from as much oxygen as possible. This will increase your usage time of each hand warmer, saving you from having to buy more!

Warm socks: Especially if you’re camping in the fall or winter, sleeping with cold feet can be difficult, which is why I recommend putting some warmers in a pair of socks into your sleeping bag before you hit the hay.

Sore muscles: Whether you’re camping, hiking or hunting, heat is great for sore muscles, so use your hand warmers as muscle relaxants as well!

Recap of the Best Hand Warmers of 2019

And that’s all I have for 2019’s top hand warmers. Feel free to leave a question or comment below and I’ll answer just as soon as I can. Remember— be secure!

Published on September 11, 2019

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Gabe Turner is an attorney and journalist with a passion for home tech and secure, efficient living. Since graduating from NYU Law, he has maintained a paradoxical existence of trying to live life adventurously while remaining staunchly risk-averse. He is torn by the dual desires of wanting to only be in Brooklyn writing about housing policy and smart home tech and aspiring to visit his friends scattered across the globe. Gabe believes that stable, safe communities are the cornerstone to a vibrant and healthy society, and it is this passion that brought him to contribute to Security Baron.